Kevin McLaughlin

Institute will feel it was two points dropped rather than one gained as bottom side Warrenpoint Town came from behind to earn a 1-1 draw, at Drumahoe.

Not for the first time this season, Stute have failed to capitalise when they have been on top in games.

The Waterside men made three changes to their team which lost to Ballymena United, with Eugene Ferry, Mark Scoltock and Mark Forker all coming in for Marty Gallagher, Paul McVeigh and the suspended Stephen O’Donnell.

The home side had a half chance on 20 minutes when Robbie Hume’s right wing cross would have found team-mate Cormac Burke, but for a super last ditch headed clearance by the alert Jonathan Cowan.

Institute took the lead five minutes later when Declan McKeever’s left wing centre found an unmarked Robbie Hume and he gleefully made no mistake headed home from close range.

The woodwork came to Stute’s rescue on 35 minutes when Darren King ghosted in behind McKeever to latch onto Stephen Hughes’ defensive splitting pass, but his close range shot hit the post.

Minutes later the sides were level after a major goal month scramble ended with Stephen Hughes’ close range shot hitting the bar and despite Ferry grabbing the loose ball, the referee’s assistant had his flag up to award the goal.

Early in the second half Daniel Hughes went close but his shot was saved by Ferry.

The woodwork came to visitor’s rescue on Burke’s left wing free-kick found Dean Curry, but his header hit the bar.

Minutes later Curry went close again but his close range shot, after Paddy McLaughlin’s knock down had found the defender, was kept out by a diving Parr.

On 64 minutes Stephen Hughes’ cross from the right flashed across the Stute six yard box and was inches away from Mark Hughes.

Despite making changes in the closing stages neither side really tested either keeper and the point in the long term may be of no help to either club.